Dáirine facts for kids

The Dáirine were a very old and important group of people in Ireland. They were like the first rulers of a region called Munster. This was a long time ago, before the 600s AD. Later, their descendants were known as the Corcu Loígde. The Dáirine were also connected to other powerful groups. These included the Ulaid and Dál Riata from Ulster in Ireland and Scotland. Their ancestors often appear in ancient Irish stories, like the Ulster Cycle. In later times, families like the Corcu Loígde, Uí Fidgenti, and Uí Liatháin were part of the Dáirine. The Dál Fiatach of Ulster also belonged to this group.

History of the Dáirine

The name Dáirine can sometimes mean all the groups of people known as the Érainn. But it usually refers to specific royal families. The Dáirine of Munster were said to come from a person named Dáire. This includes Dáire Doimthech, who was an ancestor of the Corcu Loígde. It also includes Dáire mac Dedad, who was the father of Cú Roí. These two Dáires might even be the same person.

The Dáirine were famous for being a strong warrior group. They were very different from the groups who came after them. Those later groups were more focused on farming and were generally peaceful. According to an old story called the Táin Bó Flidais, the Clanna Dedad were one of Ireland's three main warrior groups. The other two were the Clanna Rudraige and the Gamanrad.

Some old stories say that the Dáirine ruled in a very tough and even cruel way. They are sometimes shown as being quite scary. We don't know if these stories are true or if they were made up later. Historians and storytellers might have created this image of them.

Some well-known families today come from the Dáirine. In Munster, these include the O'Driscoll, O'Leary, Coffey, Hennessy, and Flynn families. They are all descendants of Lugaid Mac Con. In Ulster, the Dál Fiatach families include Haughey/Hoey and Donlevy/Dunleavy.

Important Figures

Many legendary people belonged to the Dáirine. They were descendants and family members of Dáire mac Dedad or Dáire Doimthech. Some of these famous figures include:

• Cú Roí mac Dáire
• Lugaid mac Con Roí
• Conganchnes mac Dedad
• Fiatach Finn
• Lugaid Loígde
• Rechtaid Rígderg
• Mac Con
• Fothad Cairpthech and Fothad Airgthech
• Eochaid Étgudach
• Óengus Bolg
• Aimend
• Crimthann mac Fidaig
• Mongfind

Stories in the Ulster Cycle

The Dáirine appear in many old Irish stories. These stories are part of what is called the Ulster Cycle. This is a collection of myths and legends from ancient Ireland. Some of the stories where the Dáirine are mentioned include:

• Fled Bricrenn
• Mesca Ulad
• Táin Bó Cúailnge
• Táin Bó Flidhais

Stories in the Mac Con Cycle

Another group of stories is called the Mac Con Cycle. These stories are about the legendary king Mac Con. One important story in this cycle is:

• Cath Maige Mucrama